Countdown to final ever SPAR European Cup in Annecy - 1 day to go!

The 28 editions of the SPAR European Cup have always thrilled the spectators both in the stadium and on TV.

After a history spanning 43 years and 28 previous editions, the SPAR European Cup will be contested for the last time in Annecy, France, on June 21-22.

Even before the first throw in the men's hammer, the opening event on the weekend's programme, the 2008 SPAR European Cup will go down in the annals of athletics history.

The world's premier national team competition - which has witnessed 14 world records and 6 European records - will be contested for the very last time before metamorphosing, like a butterfly emerging from its cocoon, into the 1st SPAR European Athletics Team Championships in 2009.

More of the new, exciting and innovative competition later but, to concentrate on the present for the moment, this year's event returns the picturesque Haute-Savoie town which also staged the SPAR European Cup in 2002.

Germany will be bidding to defend the men's title they won on home soil in Munich 12 months ago while the Russian women are aiming for a dozen successive titles after going undefeated since 1997.

At the time of writing, the entries from the eight teams in both competitions have not been finalised but one thing are sure, there will be the usual closely fought contest for the men's title.

In 2007, only six points covered the top three teams: Germany, France and Poland, with the latter two nations also having been winners in the last seven years.

Perennial challengers Great Britain should also be able to field a strong squad capable of taking the Cup for the fifth time while no one will discount Russia, whose men's team finished second in 2006.

Greece, Italy and Spain complete the men's lineup but, although all of them could have their own moments of glory, realistically, they are unlikely contention for the top three places.

Back to press releases